Delph eyes Bournemouth return

Fabian Delph could return from injury for Manchester City after the current international break.

Delph has missed City’s last matches with an Achilles injury but is hoping to be fit for City’s match with Bournemouth on April 2.

“It was a bit of a tricky injury, this one. It was an Achilles problem but I’m nearly there now and should start training with the team in the next few days,” the 26-year-old England midfielder said.

“I’m really excited to be getting back out on the pitch again and I’m hoping to be available for the next game.”

City’s trip to Bournemouth is followed four days later by their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

News of Delph’s recovery, soon after a similarly positive update from knee injury victim Kevin De Bruyne, will lift City after a difficult past week.

Last Sunday’s derby defeat to Manchester United has dragged City into a battle for fourth place in the Premier League while Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling have all joined the injury list.

Delph has endured a difficult first season at the Etihad Stadium since moving from Aston Villa last summer, with spells out due to hamstring injuries earlier in the campaign.